As the first OTBA is ready to be conducted in CBSE affiliated schools, through a notice, CBSE has asked teachers to keep an open mind about the views put forth by students in this test due to the subjectivity of the paper.

A set of study materials is provided to the students and the questions in the paper will be from the study material. This circular released by CBSE in January 28 states that since the test is open ended, students are supposed to provide their views on the topic, classroom discussions as well as their own awareness of the subject. Thus it is very important that the teachers keep an open mind while evaluating these answers.

For the evaluation, only a marking scheme for indicative points will be given and the teachers are required to use their own judgment and consider the content, analysis, logic and presentation of arguments and the conclusions given by the students.

The OTBA would be conducted for CBSE students in English, Hindi, mathematics, science and social science for class IX, and geography, economics and biology for class XI. Each of the subjects would carry a weightage of 10 marks against the total marks in the subject.

“The point is that teachers must keep aside their own points of view and evaluate students without prejudice. If the argument is well reasoned out and logically presented then marks must be given,” said D T Sudarshan Rao, regional officer, CBSE, Chennai region.

This attempt is made to relieve students of memorizing content and instead focus on using their analytical skills and comprehend the question individually.